Snow White & The Huntsman - Tash

A film I was waiting anxiously to see. I had watched the IMDB shorts and was suckered in by what turned out to be the best 2 minutes of the entire film. I also thought this would hold me over til Breaking Dawn part II. 127 minutes of regurgitated scenes (yes Kristen Stewart - I am talking to you! Chris Helmsworth you aren't that far behind in receiving my wraith) with a twist that was predictable and groan worthy (this was no The Sixth Sense roller coaster let me assure you!). Let's talk about the regurgitated scenes, Kristen Stewart, far be it from me to tell you how to do your job, but even I would have thought character portrayals would change slightly from movie to movie. Too many times during this film I flashed back to Twilight, when you bestowed your pained, semi-vacant, love forlorn stare upon your leading man (just to be clear this works for me in Twilight as no woman can resist Edward). Chris Helmsworth you get a free pass because you were pretty darn amazing in Thor. I do feel the need to point out the inconsistent accent which came and went amusingly throughout the film. There are some good parts...the CGI is stunning (if unoriginal). I am delighted to see someone reusing the leftover programming from Terminator 2, the use of "forced perception" (best utilized by Peter Jackson in LOTR)with perhaps a little too much CGI was satisfactory (although not to the 'Little People of America' who likened the passing over of people of small stature for the roles as job stealing) and the scenery was almost enough to distract me from the pathetic storyline and even worse attempts at acting. Charlize Theron was the only shining light in this film. Her performance was solid when compared with wooden attempts at character portrayal around her. A special mention to the young Snow White portrayed by Raffey Cassidy (who also popped up as the young Angelique in Dark Shadows). Rupert Sanders this is not a film directorial debut I would be hanging my hat on....remember in Hollywood you are only as good as your last film (and I am horrified to see Snow White & The Huntsman 2 is in the works). 1/5 stars. Disappointedly yours, Tash

Snow White and the Huntsman - El

Snow White and The Huntsman is a fairytale told large! A simple, well loved story delivered with originality and spectacular attention to visual detail. From the moment it started I was spellbound by the landscapes and design. Well cast, overall. And while I was dubious about the vampire groupie playing the protagonist, Kristen Stewart did well enough in the part. However, Charlize Theron was definitely the highlight, capturing both icy beauty and the ugliness of a greedy and damaged soul. Snow White's and the evil Queen's costumes actually had their roots in Disney's sweet animated classic. However the similarity ends there, as Ravenna's extraordinary robes were an organic extension of her malevolence. And not a hint of 50's schmultz.
The Dwarves were perfect and written with respect and humour, with even a gentle nod to the master of mythology JRR Tolkien.
In fact, for uncomplicated story, all the characters were well developed. And best of all, there was no redundant dialogue! The director let the images speak. And what incredible images they were. Reality & CGI blended seamlessly. Every frame was rich and expressive; from the morbid grey sorrow of the castle to the sanguine vivid green of the forests. Make sure you stay for the credits too as they are a work of art on their own right. An impressive debut by first time movie director Rupert Sanders. 
In a word, enchanting! 4/5 - Review by El

Prometheus: Ancient Greek for 'Bitter Disappointment'.

Prometheus opens with breathtaking landscapes and an intriguing suggestion about the origins of life on Earth. However, the first ten minutes are the only part of the movie worth watching. Michael Fassbender is the most genuine 'synthetic' ever created and is superb throughout with his serene ambiguity. But it all goes rapidly downhill from there. Despite a promising cast, the complete lack of scientific realism, expedition protocol, character development and, frankly, plot left me so totally underwhelmed that I cannot believe this was made by Ridley Scott! The alien life ranged from sentient black oil - reminiscent of X-files, silly eels, right through to a Muppet version of Geiger's original zenomorph. And because I was so uninvested in the characters I didn't give a s#%* when they were violently ripped apart by the monster menagerie. And don't get me started on the dialogue!!!
I'm not sure what Ridley has been smoking, but the only flashes of his Blade Runner brilliance were in the colour of android David's roots... I wish he'd left the Space Jockey alone now :(

2/5 - (Review by El)

The Dark Knight Endeth...

While I've never been into the Batman movies before, I've become intrigued by the psychology of the damaged masked avenger...
So I have purchased Chris Nolan's first and second movies to watch before seeing the final chapter in his trilogy. I hear the 3hr movie drags, but I'll go with an open mind and expectations set at about 70% ;)

The Hobbit

I hear that Peter Jackson is trying to convince the studio to let him make The Hobbit into three movies! At first I had my doubts as The Hobbit is really a very short and relatively simple story. But now I understand he is including content from The Silmarillion (the history and mythology of Middle Earth) - which I loved! I'd be happy with TEN movies if he's going to include so much rich detail and storytelling :)